No studio setup is complete without at least one headphone. When you start and build your first studio, chances are your budget will not get the most out of your content. If he wants it, all the power for you. However, many beginners are limited to budget equipment. Today, we will show you our choices for the Best Studio Headphones Under $100 on the market. These are good input models while some are easily part of the best studio headphones. Let’s start.
Best Studio Headphones Under $100 Comparison Table
Best Studio Headphones Under $100
Headphone Name
Battery Life
Connectivity
Sony MDR-V6
No
Wired
Superlux HD-685
No
Wired
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
No
Wired
Koss Pro-4AA
No
Wired
CAD Audio MH320
No
Wired
Status Audio CB-1
No
Wired
Ultrasone HFI-450
No
Wired
Sony DRZX701IP
No
Wired
Things To Expect From Best Studio Headphones Under $100
The studio headphones have different prices. You have the super cheap models at $50, while there is also a headset that brings you at least $300. When you reach a certain level of skill and experience, you can even go higher. In our opinion, the best studio headphones under $100 are a great place to start if you have a limited budget. These will be equipped with good equipment and good ergonomics. Of course, most of them lack advanced features, but you can still find interesting designs if you look at them enough. Some of the models we have selected for our list above show exactly what we are doing with that.
Sony MDR-V6
Sony headphones are among the trusted models of the community. Even if you opt for the more affordable line. Sony MDR-V6 may not have all the features, but it offers solid performance and is one of the best studio headphones under $100. If you’re just starting out, you need quality sound and a comfortable headband. At the very top is a bonus. Regarding the actual hardware, we would like to point out that Sony is sending it with its famous CCAW voice coil. The pilots themselves have a sufficient range and go as low as 5 Hz. The upper limit of the frequency range is 30 kHz. It is safe to say that you have total freedom of creation. They also come with a hard case.
Pros:
- Rock solid core performance followed by great hardware.
- A sufficient amount of padding all around.
- Impressive range coming from two 40mm drivers.
Cons:
- These have a fixed cable which can be an issue.
Superlux HD-685
Superlux is a brand that surprised the entire industry. When they first appeared, their headphones offered excellent performance, similar to some fairly expensive models, for a fraction of the price. Nowadays, the situation is practically the same. Superlux HD-685 is their main studio model and it’s pretty amazing. Especially for the money. On the outside, the HD-685 has a rather minimalist design and one of the best studio headphones under 100 dollars. The frame is well filled but does not give much confidence. That said, Superlux earphones were still geared to hardware. This specific model is quite basic from the factory. However, with some magic equalizers, these can become quite flat. In other words, you can extract a lot of transparency.
Pros:
- Affordable performance that is hard to beat.
- Feature a well-padded frame and good ear pads.
- Come with a detachable cable which improves durability.
Cons:
- The frame feels a bit cheap.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Anyone who even knows the headset by far has now heard of Audio Technica. They did exactly the same thing as Superlux, but at a higher level. The Audio Technica headphones are known for their impressive performance at more than reasonable prices. Audio Technica ATH-M40x is one of the entry-level models of the M-Series and it’s pretty impressive. These are provided with a very simple but robust frame. AT has used good padding just about anywhere you want it. Ear pads are also among the best in this category of headphones. When it comes to performance, look for patented 45mm drivers that can deliver an absurdly accurate, flat sound. Overall, these headphones are one of the best studio headphones under $100.
Pros:
- One of the most robust designs in this segment.
- Feature 45mm drivers which offer lots of range.
- Comfortable frame design with plenty of padding.
Cons:
- The frame itself doesn’t inspire confidence in the long run.
Koss Pro-4AA
The next pair of headphones we want to show you is certainly not like the others. Koss Pro-4AA is a very retro set of cans. This brand has existed for a long time, which can also be said about this specific model. Defined by its robust frame and simple design, the Koss Pro-4AA is more than impressive. Although it is a little heavy because of all this extra material, they are very comfortable. Padding is plentiful and offers enough cushioning to minimize fatigue. In terms of performance, the Pro-4AA produces a wide, precise and reasonably transparent sound. If you need an efficient and indestructible headphone, Koss Pro-4AA is one of the best studio headphones under $100.
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Pros:
- Robust steel reinforced chassis makes these indestructible.
- Good performance with plenty of range and accuracy.
- Comfort levels which reduce fatigue to a minimum.
Cons:
- Not the lightest set of cans out there.
CAD Audio MH320
Another known brand in the budget segment is CAD Audio. Their designs are simple, efficient and often offer excellent value for money. This is how you could describe CAD Audio MH320. It’s a simple set of cans optimized to give you the best possible performance at a price that will not let you go bankrupt. The frame is a standard design with many reinforcements and sufficient padding. The materials may not be upscale, but at least the work is done in terms of preventing fatigue. The material is in the form of two 45 mm drivers with a large extent. The sound is accurate, balanced and flat enough for you to make serious use of it.
Pros:
- Simple and reliable frame design.
- Comes with plenty of padding all over the frame.
- Good sound and balanced performance.
Cons:
- The cable is not detachable.
Status Audio CB-1
It’s no secret that Status Audio does not have the same reputation as many other brands. Yet they are one of the best models of economically priced studio headphones on the market. We are talking about CB-1, of course. These are closed helmets that are primarily performance oriented. Aesthetic, they really do not have anything radiant. That said, the frame offers plenty of filling and good comfort. These are equipped with swivel cups, which makes them ideal for use in the studio and live. In the hardware, you look at a good set of drivers that sound surprisingly flat. In general, these headphones are one of the few hidden gems in this market segment. That’s why they are one of the best studio headphones under $100.
Pros:
- Good performance all around, especially in terms of accuracy.
- Feature good padding on both the frame and ear pads.
- Two detachable cables, one coiled and one straight.
Cons:
- Not the most interesting set in terms of aesthetics.
Ultrasone HFI-450
There is nothing better than finding headphones of a higher price range that are updated for one reason or another. The HFI-450 ultrasound represents such a discovery and they are excellent. We are talking here about a set of good quality fully adjustable studio headphones offering more than just basic functions. On the contrary, they are anything but simple. For starters, the cups are rotatably mounted and you can adjust them as you wish. The mount itself is filled up, which is nice to see because there is a lot of filling on the ear pads. In addition to quality drivers, the Ultrasonic HFI-450 incorporates S-Logic’s natural surround sound technology that improves performance in its own way.
Pros:
- Fully adjustable frame design makes them functional.
- Good hardware including a great set of drivers.
- S-Logic Natural Surround Sound tech is great.
Cons:
- Cable is not detachable which is their only real flaw.
Sony DRZX701IP
Finally, there is the Sony DRZX701IP. These headphones represent the input segment of Sony in a very positive light. Everything from conception to execution is reasonably well balanced. If you want something more sophisticated than beginners headphones, but something cheap, that’s the way to go. Sony delivers again. The design of the frame is quite neutral and simple. The filling is a little thin for our taste, but it works pretty well. The material provided here is good enough to give you an accurate view of your mix. Although they are not really 100% flat, these two 50mm drivers have enough reach.
Pros:
- Simple yet functional design that works.
- Good performance coming from two 50mm drivers.
- Plenty of padding which ensures good comfort.
Cons:
- Fixed cables reduce their overall durability.
Final Words
Affordable headphones are a great way to get started in music production. If you spend about $100, you get a good performance and a lot of comforts. Are these the best headphones you’ll ever have as a producer? Probably not, but you will probably have to develop your skills before you feel limited by your $100 headphones. The models above are the Best Studio Headphones Under $100 that you can get for this type of money. With everything you go, you will not be disappointed.
